Iowa’s new tax law is forcing cities to weigh cuts to police and fire — and whether to ask lawmakers to carve out public safety from the 2% property tax growth cap.
Why it matters: Staffing shortages can mean slower police and fire response times, leaving residents waiting longer for emergency help.
Driving the news: The Des Moines City Council this week approved $11.5 million in cuts, including reductions affecting police and fire.
- The vote previews another roughly $5 million in cuts expected to be considered in January, cuts that council members warned will be much tougher.
Catch up quick: Iowa lawmakers approved the cap in May as part of a broader property tax package.
- It passed with bipartisan support and takes effect in July 2027.
Zoom in: Both departments say they are already short-staffed.
- Police cuts of about $566,000 — roughly 0.6% of the department’s $92.2 million operating budget — will reassign three neighborhood officers and trim three positions from its next academy.
- Fire reductions of about $425,000, or roughly 0.7% of its $58.7 million budget, include eliminating two vacant positions and changing how recruits are hired.
By the numbers: Police and fire account for about 58% of Des Moines’ nearly $256 million general fund, making public safety difficult to insulate as the city adjusts to tighter property tax revenue limits…